New Zealand’s parliament has passed a new law that would provide paid leave to families who have experienced a stillbirth or miscarriage.
This makes them the second country to put this law into place.
“The passing of this bill shows that once again New Zealand is leading the way for progressive and compassionate legislation, becoming only the second country in the world to provide leave for miscarriage and stillbirth,” said Labour Party MP Ginny Andersen, who initiated the bill.
“The bill will give women and their partners time to come to terms with their loss without having to tap into sick leave. Because their grief is not a sickness, it is a loss. And loss takes time.”
The leave provisions apply to mothers, their partners as well as parents planning to have a child through adoption or surrogacy, she said.
Passed unanimously in parliament late Wednesday, the leave gives employees three days’ leave when a pregnancy ends with a stillbirth without having to tap into sick leave.